The doors whisked closed behind as Rumplestiltskin's fingers snapped. "Come along dearie," he whimsically sneered as he steered Belle towards the waiting carriage. Belle's breath caught as the lumbering black drafts pranced and whinnied, the press of Rumplestiltskin's hand on the small of her back pushing her forward. His impish laugh echoed across the deserted courtyard as she stepped lightly into the carriage. She looked back at her home, now parapets and walls crumbling as the war took its toll. Their village was once the shining star of her father's kingdom, its vast farmlands full of crops and bounty, the grandiose palace shimmering in the sunlight, now stood bleak and empty as desolate as the burned fields around it.
The figure behind her pushed her into the carriage and closed the door behind her, the latch engaging with an audible click. His laugh echoed again as he climbed to the drivers bench, but did not take the reins. "Home it is boys," again he laughed, waved his hand and the mighty steeds launched themselves undirected into the night. Belle felt the carriage jolt forward, throwing her onto the floor of the carriage. The plush carpet underfoot breaking her fall, she looked around at the interior that held her. It was a luxurious cab with two bench seats facing, wrapped in a deep scarlet velvet that extended to the ceiling. Decorative lamps hung in the corners, gems dangling from them that made a tinkling sound as the carriage moved. One of the benches held a black throw, sprawled across the bench as if it had been recently thrown aside by the carriage's previous occupant. Belle pulled herself onto the bench without the throw and strained to look out the window at the receding silhouette of her father's estate.
The carriage bustled through the village without any loss of momentum, store front and homes blurred as they flew past her window, the setting sun giving an eerie haze of red to scenes flowing past her window. She heard townsfolk scream and jump aside as the carriage horses stampeded through the town, his laughter drifting back to her. The village faded into farmlands, the farmlands to trees. Dusk had begun to settle, and Belle could feel the chill in the air begin to set in as the horses slowed their pace to a comfortable trot through the forest. A breeze blew in through the window carrying with it the earthy, cold damp smell of the forest. She reached for the black throw, wrapping it around her shoulders to stave off the damp night air. As she sat curled into the throw tucked into the corner of an unfamiliar carriage, Belle felt the silent tear begin to carve a trail down her cheek. Another one followed, then another and soon Belle found herself silently weeping into the throw. Silent prayers and wishes were made as the carriage danced through the evening and Belle took comfort knowing she had done what she needed in order to save her family and her home.
No longer crying, Belle sat numbly staring out the window at the forest as they passed through it, when the light near Belle's seat suddenly lit. "How are you enjoying my carriage?" Belle jumped at the voice and found it's owner seated across from her in the carriage, sneering at her across his templed fingers. He stared at her, waiting for an answer. "It is lovely," she responded, unsure how to act with his intrusion. "I thought so, as did it's previous owner, he told me so right before he got run over by it." He laughed again. Belle flinched at his statement but did not respond. "We will be at my castle shortly, and do leave the throw in the carriage, I am quite fond of it." Belle glanced down at the throw she had wrapped herself in, noticing that she had overlooked the subtle scarlet embroidery along the edges. "Where do you.." she raised her head but it was only her in the cab, Rumplestiltskin had vanished.